Automatic portable sawmill



-5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 21, 1949 l alsp er 0. Be rhea INVENTOR.

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J. D. BETHEA AUTOMATIC PORTABLE SAWMILL Jan. 5, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1949 a m mm 0 v k a. S M

7% BY Z Jan. 5, 1954 J. D. BETHEA AUTOMATIC PORTABLE SAWMILL 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 21, 1949 Jasper 0. Ber/Iea' INVENTOR. V

Jan. 5, 1954 J. D. BETHEA AUTOMATIC PORTABLE SAWMILL 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 21, 1949 w a M e N o A m W B m a a. T w W w 9% a Y 8 En w T vQ w! on 3 m .M\|.\

Jan. 5, 1954 J. D. BETHEA AUTOMATIC PORTABLE SAWMILL- 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 21, 1949 5s g1 80 illl Jasper D. Bethea INVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 5, 1954 AUTOMATIC PORTABLE SAWMILL Jasper D. Bethea, Silver Creek, Miss., assignor of one-third to William R. Bethea, Jackson, and one-third to Carlos E. Hill, Silver Creek, Miss.

Application December 21, 1949, Serial No. 134,195

2 Claims.

This invention relates to novel and useful improvements in power saws.

An object of this invention is to cut a work piece, as a log, by means of a rotary saw which is carried on a frame by holding the work piece by a dog which is carried by a knee which is movable transversely of the plane of the saw for adjustment and said knee being carried by a head block which lies transversely of the carriage which is operable on the frame for movement parallel to the plane of the saw, whereby a work piece clamped and held is cut as the knee moves longitudinally of the frame.

Another object of this invention is to automatically reset the knee and hence the work piece which is disposed on the head block in response to movement of the carriage on the frame, said movement occasioning a cam follower to be operated, which in turn, through a series of gears and shaits, moves the knee an increment transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame.

A further object of this invention isto automatically set or reset the work piece holding mechanism as above detailed but to oppose the operation of the knee by a resilient device as a spring, whereby, when the spring is caused to exert its force in such a manner as to cause actuation of the knee, the knee is returned to an initial setting or starting condition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a manually, either foot or hand, operated device for releasing the spring and allowing it toreturn the knee, this manually operable device bein normally located in a position whereby it will be ineffectual to cause this operation, but movable tosuch position as to render the desired results.

A still further object of this invention is to operate the carriage in one direction or the other in accordance with the prerogative of the user of the device by means of displacing a friction wheel so that it will engage one or the other of a pair of pulleys, said pulleys being connected with a drum which has a cable wound thereon and the cable being secured to the carriage so that the carriage is pulled positively in one direction or the other.

Another object of this invention is to automati- I become apparent in following the description of the illustrated form of the invention.

In the drawings: Figure l is a plan view showing one-half of the machine;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 1 and in the direction of the arrows, showing particularly the construction of the knee and carriage as well as a part of the means of operating the knee and returning I Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6--6 of Figure 3 and in the direction ofthe arrows;

Figure 7 1s a sectional view taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Figure 1a and in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing in exploded detail a ratchet dog and a means for operating the dog which is employed in connection with holding the knee moving de-- vice in an adjusted position.

The main frame of the machine may contain various supports and strengthening elements. In Figures 1 and 1a, sufiicient structural members are shown to form a bed for the various elements which cooperate to form the necessary structure I in carrying out the desired operation of the device. There is a pair of longitudinal, parallel channel members l0 and I2 which are held in fixed spaced relationship by means of a cross member l3 at the front of the frame and a cross member Id at the rear of the frame. A number of other cross members are employed, which will be identified subsequently. ,An axle 16 extends transversely of the upper part of the frame and has wheels I! and 18 at the ends thereof. axle has a pillowblock 20 intermediate its ends throughwhich a'pivot pin 22 passes (Figure'2). This'pivot pin also passes through a boss 25 which is securedto the cross member wand. which is also secured to the cross member 3! The bosses may be individual, or asingle one connected with The the cross members 28 and 30. By this construction, the frame is capable of pivotal movement about its longitudinal axis which passes through the pivot pin 22. A lug 32 extends from the side of the channel I2 and has a spring 34 secured thereto. The lower end of the spring is secured to a bracket 36 (Fig. 7) which is fixed to the axle. Inasmuch as a motor schematically shown at. 3.8; (Fig. 1) is secured to the opposite end of the frame and on the opposite side thereof, the tendency for the frame is to rotate pivotally bythe weight of the motor or engine; 38. However, this rotation is practically prevented by the spring 34. If necessary, more than one spring 34 may be employed as disclosed in- Figure 1 An axle 40 is connected with the frame by means of U-bolts 42 and 43 6): and has. wheels 44 and 45 at the ends thereof to complete the support for the frame. Steering linkage partially shown in Figure 1 illustrates that these wheels may b tur d: yme ns or a. drawban or. other equivalent.

Angle iron members 48 and ar welded; to the hannels In and 2; and: form ai s for th rollers 52 which are supported on axles axles and roll rs t win a art f. a. a r a e h ch is. ear l sl; o he lon itudinal; axis: Qt th r e- Th s. carr age a. which; u or s a numb r Qt ements: o b det iled b qu n ly T o is a me ns. f r r l ing he. carriage in a reciprocatory manner on, the: rails 40 and; 50. The preferable means consists of a cable 59 which; is attached at iis. ends; to. the base 5; of the carriage; Any suitable meansiof; forming the base may be arrived. at, as. the P ra le s d members 58. a d 6. e d; y pa ing members 6I (Figure 1). If found desirable a; solid sheet metal; base may be employed, this being a matter of: choice.

The cable is attached at both ends. to. the a r a e d s ui ed: arou d an; dler pulley i e r d na c et Iihebruket ifixed. to the cross member I3 at one endofi, the. frame. The cable: extends: over an. idlerpulley: 6i, lal which is; secured on a. shaft 601 extending transversely of the channels. The cable: than is entrained around-1a; drum. I0- whichis on. a shaft 12. The shaft I2- is mounted in; a,- swivel bearing assembly which ineludesa boss 14 disposed on a plate. 15, which plate is pivoted by means of the. pin 16- tofthe channel. I2-., The: cable 50 then continues oven another idlerrpul.163; i h. i p ed; ona. s aft 19. extending. between the channels I0; and; I2. Aiteli-being; uided by the pulley 10,, the cablc isentvained around. another idlerpulley- 80, which is can riedbya bracket 0].. bracket is welded'on therw i idly fixed.- to I the. oss: member-r The cable 56.th en. continues for its. connection. with one of. th e:cros s.members 6,1: of,tl 1e c arriag e.

The motor-or. engine 39 has a drive-Shaft 84, ct a ed her by whic s oup edwith. the nineby means .of. auniversal. joint 09. A. supp.or t,-

s-s p e in emed te1tho nds of the. drive a t. n si idln xed. o. one: at 0.1 11:- el Ano r. unive sal. o nt.- flii. connects.- h shaft. 84,, with. a. conventional. differential 90, the; ou ng. Qf w c is o es or o he wise ri dl to one. of. e han els. .1t .shatt. 9.1. is. mo n d at. ne. n a. ar n .2. This bearin is, fixed to the channel I2. 1 addi ional. a in 3 s, sposed. on a i ameiq oss memb r. 4. whi exte ds mmfihechannel IIL tam hannel. 2: n wh ch ig dly. fix d. o. each hanne A. dif eren ial. shaft. 9. xtends from.

the differential and is connected with the driven shaft 9I by means of a universal joint 90. Therefore, upon operation of the motor or engine 38, torque is imparted to the differential shaft and the driven shaft 9| which operates the saw blade 91 disposed on the outside of the channel I2.

A gear 9), is. fixed to the differential. shaft 95 is disposed between the channels I0 and I2. This gear has a chain 99 entrained therearound. Reference to Figure 4 shows the travel of the chain.

A sprocket I00 mounted on a shaft IOI which is. in turn. mounted on.a hanger I02, is supplied.

., sprocket, engages the chain 99, holding a part of it downward and pressing another part of it against the sprocket I05. The sprocket I05 is suspended by a hanger I06 and there is a shat-t; I-fl disposed in the hanger. Ultimately, the chain 99 extends around a sprocket I I0 which is fixed to a shaft.- l.I2. said. shaft being. carried in a bearing on the channel. 12.. Therefore when the motor, or engineis Operated; the; various hafts. will be rendered operative. The: shaft. I01. is. fixed to, the sprocket L05, while. the shaft II: isfixed to, the sprocket H0; Dueto the way that. the. chain is entrained. around the. sprockets. 05 and I. L0,. the Shafis. Hit and. M2 willbe oprated; in the. same direction. A. pulley I is fixed. to. the shaft I.0I. and a pulley H0 is: fixed to the shaft 2.. A. friction wheel. .8 (Fig: 1a)- is secured. to. the, drum. 1.0 and to. the shatt- 1.2.. The friction wheel shaft, and the. drum shaft- I2 are carried by. meansof. ahanger bracket in mounted at its. upper end ona v pivot pin I22. The pivot pin is fastenedto thechannel I0. A link, I24, is secured to, the hanger. I20 in.orderto swing. the hanger-so that the friction wheel H.0- ensages. either the. pulley. I H or the pulley. He. in. order to impart either clockwise or. counter-- clockwise rotation to, the drum 10. This will w nd. the.- cable. 5.6. in one. direction or the other on, the, drum. Accordingly, inasmuch as. the ca le is. fixed to. the. carriage. the carriage.- willmove inv one direction or the other dependingon whichdrum is engaged. by the. frictioni wheel. I I0; Whenthe. hanger I20 isv disposed in. such position so that. the. friction. wheel- II8 engages neither the drum. I.I.-0. nor the drum II4; noop eration of the carriage obtained.

In order to. actuate. the link- I24,. a. bellcrank. I20. ispivotedintermediateits ends ona: bracket I30. (Eig,.4).. Thelink. IZLis-securedto one. end. of, the. bellcrank Illandthe oppositeendofathe; bellcrank. ha.s;a pitman. I .32-securedthereto; The pitmaxris.v also. secured to-ahand-operating level? II'LI. carried.the:bracket,l30.. The bracket. I36 iswelded; or. otherwise-rigidly fixed to. the. chan. nel. I 2, locating the handle: I31; in. convenient position for operation.

The means. of operating thecarriageby moving e. handle. I31. shouldrbe apparcntfromsthe fore-- oing.

The: rame contains variousaccommodations: for. elements. as. the: bracket (Figure; 3) I40.- for.

a battery to be used when an internal combustionengine. is used; which is-rrepresentedi by, the schematic. showing. at 38.. A saw-p1atf.orm- I 4I; (Fig. 1a); is fixemtoitherchannel: I2. andpart'.v

the operation. on. the.- work piece. byg the. saw

forms, a... saw, guide: for. the. blade. 91.. A: roller Forming a part of the carriage are the end cross members I 44 and I46 which also serve as rails for the knees which are disposed on the carria e and which constitute headblocks. The knees include a pair of base members disposed on the members I44 and I46. A rack I I (Fig. 3) is formed on the under surface of the base member I48 and a rack I52 is formed on the under surface of the base member I50. The use of the racks is for deriving motive .force from the pinions I53 and I54 which are fixedto the shaft I55. The actuation of the knee is transverse with respect to the movement of the carriage and also transverse of the longitudinal axis of the frame. The base members I50 and I48 of the knee have upstanding portions I56 and I58 on which the jack standards I59 and I60 respectively are secured. Manually operable jack elements I62 and I64 are operable on the members I59 and I60 so as to press the dogs I66 (Fig-' ure 2) into the work piece andtohold it firmly on the headblocks I44 and I46. Therefore, after a log or the like is fastened firmly by means of the dogs I66 which are formed on the jack elements when movement of the knee occurs, similar or corresponding movement of the work piece occurs laterally with respect to. the longitudinal axis of the frame.

Means for moving the knee on the head block transversely of the longitudinal axis of the frame is provided. This means consists of a cam I (Fig. 5) which is pivoted to the cross member H! of the frame. The cam has an arm I12 forming a part of an operator for displacing the cam for adjustment. The arm I12 is secured to an operating handle I14 (Figs. 1 and 2) which is carried in a suitable bracket I16. This bracket is fixed to the channel I2 and is operable in a locking quadrant gear I18 which is also fixed to the channel I2. Therefore, when the handle I14 is operated, this actuation will be reflected directly in adjustment of the cam I10.

A cam follower (Figure 5 and Figure 6) I80 is fixed to an arm I82 which is adapted to be reciprocated in accordance with the movement or travel of the carriage on the frame.

Referring to Figure 3, a support is supplied for various locking and operating members of the knee. This support consists of a standard I84 which is welded or otherwise rigidly fixed to the carriage and which mounts the shaft I86 for rotation. Supports I81 and I88 connected by a cross member I89 are also employed for helping to support the shaft I86.

A yoke (Figure 5) I90 is mounted for swinging movement on the shaft I86 and the legs of the yoke are disposed on opposite sides of the gear I 92. This gear is fixed to the shaft I86 for rotation therewith. Another gear I94 is fixed to the shaft I86 and engages a smaller gear I96. This smaller gear is carried on a shaft I55 which is disposed in suitable bearings on the platform. The pinions I54 and I53 (Fig. 3) are fixed to the shaft I55 and they engage the rack gears I5I and I52. Rotation of the shaft I86 is translated to movement of the knee on the head block in the described manner.

When the carriage moves past the cam I10, the cam follower I80 engages the cam, thereby rocking the yoke I90. At this time the dog or pawl 280 which is pivoted between the legs of the yoke engages between a pair of teeth of the gear I92, thereby rotating it an amount. This rotation is imparted through the gears I94, I96, I54, and I53 to the racks at the bottom of the knee, thereby causing it to be moved an increment toward 1 the plane of the saw. After rotation of the gear I92, the dog 200 falls between another pair of teeth, thereby holding it. Inasmuchas the shaft I55 rotates to cause transverse movement of the knee, the gear 202 which is fixed thereto is also rotated. The dog 204 which is pivoted to the yoke 206 engages between the vteeth thereof, holding it so that it, together with the shaft I55. will not return.

Means opposing the operation of the shaft I55 is supplied. The preferable means consists of a spring 208 which is concentrically arranged on the shaft I55 and which has one end fixed to a part of the carriage base 54. The other end of the spring 208 is fixed to the shaft I 55 by means of a coupling 2I0 whereby the spring reacts on the carriage.

The yoke 206 is mounted for free swingin movement on the shaft I55. However, :it is pressed against the cross member I89 by the reaction of the dog 204 operating in the teeth of the gear 202.

Means for releasing the dog 204 as well as the dog 200 to allow the spring 208 to return the carriage is supplied. This means .consists of an operator 2I2 which is disposed on the outsid of the channel I0. This operator is, in effect, a cam having a number of arms 2I4 projecting therefrom. These arms pass through openings formed in the channel I0 whereby it is guided in its movement. A link 2I6 (Figure 2) is secured to one of the guide arms 2I4 and base crank 2I8 opera tively connected therewith. This crank is carried by brackets 220 (Fig. 1) which are suitably secured to the frame. A foot pedal 222 is secured to the crank 2I8 so that upon operation of the pedal, the operator 2I2 is urged outwardly of the frame. This actuation is opposed by springs 224 (Fig. 6) which are secured to the operator and to the opposite channel. Therefore, when the foot pedal is depressed the operator 2I2 is urged outwardly against the opposing force of the springs 224. When the foot pedal is released, the springs 224 pull the operator inwardly.

When the operator is in the outward or operative position and the carriage passes by the operator, a finger 226 which is at the end of a link 228 engages the operator, thereby rotating the crank 230 which is pivoted to a part of the support. One end of the crank is secured to the link 228, the intermediate portion is pivoted, and the other end is fixed to a shaft 232. An arm 235 extends from the shaft 232 (Figure 8) and has a finger 236 protruding therefrom. This finger engages in an aperture 238 in the dog 204, pivoting the dog so that it is separated from the teeth of the gear 202. This will allow the spring 208 to expend its stored energy to return the platform.

However, at this time the cam 240 which is fixed to the shaft 232 raises an arm 242 (Figure 2) which is pivoted to a part of the support, causing the dog 200 to be disengaged from the teeth of the gear I92. A pin and slot connection, generally indicated at 244, connects the arm 242 with the dog 200. By disengagement of the dog 200 from within the teeth of the gear I92, the spring 246, which reacts on the yok I60 and a part of the support, causes the yoke to be returned to the initial condition.

The operation of this portion of the device is as follows: As the carriage moves from one end of the frame to the other, the cam follower I engages the cam I 10 and causes the knee to move. transverse-Igor the: frame: and towards'rthm pima otftlie m a predeterminedi amount; This amount is: governed; by adjusting: the;- disposition i oi'?the cam: I10: When the canriageslsfreturned; the camzrollowerr I88".- again engages theicam I10 and: causasianotlier operational movement of the knoesathe: same amount; This isttl're full adjusted amount; fon cutting one" board: from a work piece.

Inasmuch as the operator 212 is normally? maintained-am" suchposition that it is inoperative, the'zcarriagewmayi'be reoiprocated; any number: of: times; to; out any.- nnmber: oi: boards fromz a work piece until the work". pieceisiexhausted. Afton the last hoard has-been out from: this' workpiece; theioot operator; 222: is; actuated, thereby presseing; theloperator 2 it outwardly" so'that: the finger 22B engages it in order to release the: various dogs; to allow' the", carriage. to move: to:- its initial or: starting position.

At this-:time-another-logmay'be'placed on the hmd-,blocks'and tho-device set in motion: again;

From the foregoing, an understandingnfi'the' structure" and. operation: of one: formof the. invention is.- deemed manifest.

Havinggdescribedithe invention;.what istoiaimed': assnew is:.

1. In a' -powert saw a frame; asawblade'mountz ed: onsaidirame'in a: plane para llelito the 1011:- gitudinal'. axisof.- said frame, a; carriage: disposed: omsaid framean'de movablelon'gitudinally'of' aid.

frame, a-=pa.ir of transverse: rails forming a part:

oi said carriage.- and: constituting: head blocks, knees including: ba'se members: located on said? rails and movable; trarnverselr ofr. said; carriage; ewhsaidknee including'a doggtoihoi'd azl'ogr ont itsrresneotive head=blookymeans for raisingamid.

dog andholding, said dogPirraclampingjD sition.

againstthe log, a.- gear; assembly: connected; to!

saidlmae basemembera and; forming means=fori actuating, said:v knee omsaid head bloclot'o move? the log; laterally of; said carriage;,said: last: men? tioned means including; a: camv follower: which:

locatadibelowi and between A sailtknee baseman?- bars, moans carriedb'y said. frame for actuatin said: cam Iollowen'wherrsaid" carriage is=moved fore and afton" saici frame'; said cam follower actuating' means including: a cam', andzmeans'adjustablymountin'g said cam inthe path of travel' of. said? cam: follower, said mounting means includingla cross mem'ber carried by said' frame, a'

vertical pivot: pin: connecting said cam to said crossanember; azlinkr connected to said cam,. and" means. carried'. by said frame". and connected to saidzliniczfor-moving'saidicam transversely in-tlie patio or travel Unsaid cam follower: t'o efl'ect selectively adjustable movement of the 1 log later ally of: saizt carriage: as therlatter is moved: tone and aft onisa'id vframe;

2; The combination of. claim? 1?, and: said: cam

moving means 1 including: a. crank pivoted intermediate it; ends-J 011 said frame and connected atzone endto said: link; the other. end of said cranklieing: selectively engageable with a grad uatertlloekingz deviceitos loci: said cam in selected positions, thepath of: movement ofsaid? cam folloLwnr;-

JASPER: D. BETHEA.

References. (Litmiw inthe; file; of this; patent UNITED STATES- PATENTS 

